State spend on accommodation for Ukrainians, IP down 26%

The Irish state has significantly reduced its expenditure on accommodating Ukrainian refugees and International Protection (IP) applicants, with spending down by €104 million in the first three months of 2026 compared to the same period last year. This represents a 26% decrease in costs.

Figures released by the Department of Justice reveal that the total cost for accommodating these groups between January 1 and March 31, 2026, was approximately €300 million. This is a substantial drop from the €404.23 million spent in the corresponding period of 2025. The most significant reduction was observed in the costs associated with commercial accommodation for Ukrainians, which plummeted by 54%, or €73.32 million, falling from €131.74 million in early 2025 to €61.42 million in early 2026.

Accommodation costs for IP applicants through commercial providers also decreased, though less dramatically. This segment cost €239.12 million in the first quarter of 2026, an 11% drop or €30.37 million less than the €269.49 million spent in the same timeframe last year. The state is currently housing over 33,000 IP applicants, including more than 9,000 children, across more than 300 centers nationwide.

This sharp decline in accommodation expenses for Ukrainians is largely attributed to a government policy implemented last November. Under this policy, new arrivals from Ukraine are placed in Designated Accommodation Centres (DACs) for a maximum of 30 days. Furthermore, a recent cabinet decision mandates that most of the 16,000 Ukrainians currently residing in state-contracted commercial accommodation must secure alternative housing by March 2027. This transition will begin in phases starting in August, though vulnerable individuals will be permitted to remain in state-provided housing. The report also notes that 562 High Court judicial reviews are currently being taken by IP applicants against decisions made by the International Protection Appeals Tribunal.

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The State spend on commercial providers accommodating International Protection (IP) applicants and Ukrainians for the first quarter of this year has plunged by €104 million when compared to the same period last year.